Patzer v. Liberty Communications, Inc.

This is an action for libel brought by the president of a construction company against the owners and news personnel of a television station and a radio station in Eugene based on a series of defamatory broadcasts about the company. The trial court dismissed the action for failure to state ultimate facts sufficient to constitute a claim, and plaintiff appeals. We reverse.

Plaintiff was the owner and sole stockholder of Patzer Construction Company, a Eugene home-repair and remodeling company. The company did business from premises leased to plaintiff personally. Under the lease he had an option…